Oil Futures End Sharply Higher On Falling U.S. Output Signs

Oil futures jumped sharply Friday to end the week with strong gains on signs a decline in U.S. output is gathering steam. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for May delivery rose $2.46, or 6.6%, to end at $39.72 a barrel, booking a weekly rise of 8%. Crude maintained Friday gains after data showed the number of U.S. oil rigs continued to decline. Data earlier this week showed an unexpected drop in crude oil inventories and a further rise in U.S. refinery capacity utilization.